Filling-indicator for lamps



(No Model.)

T. W. BARTHOLOMEW. FILLING INDICATOR FOR LAMPS.

No. 505,186. Patented Sept} 19, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. BARTHOLOMEVV, OF DANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

FILLING-INDICATOR FOR LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,186, dated September 19, 1893.

Application filed October 29, 1892. Renewed August 15, 1893. Serial No. 483,197. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. BARTHOLO- MEW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Danville, in the county of Montour and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Filling-Indicator for Lamps, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to filling-indicators for lamps; lanterns, oil-cans, and other vessels of an opaque nature wherein it is desired to observe the level of liquid within the same.

The objects in view are to provide an indidicator of cheap and simple construction, that may be applied to lamps, lanterns, oil-cans, and other vessels now in use and employing the usual filling-screw and cap; or which may be manufactured in connection with the same at the outset.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in theclaims.

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a lamp below the oil reservoir, the same having the usual screw filler and being provided with an indicator constructed in accordance with my invention and illustrating that form thereof adapted to be applied to lamps of various makes, lanterns, and oil-cans that are already in use. Fig. 2 is a detail in perspective of the indicator. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a filler-screw provided with an indicator constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being modifiedso as to be manufactured with the screw. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified construction of indicator that may be manufactured separate from the fillerscrew and applied to those already in use.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, 1 designates a portion of the wall of the reservoir of a lamp, and the same has the usual filleropening 2, in which is screwed the filler-screw 3, which may be covered or closed by the cap 4, removably threaded within the same. This is the construction as now ordinarily employed, and I will now proceed to describe one simple form of indicator that may be applied to this usual form of filler-opening.

A piece of spring-metal of suitable length is bent at its lower end, as indicated at 5, forming opposite terminals 6 and 7, the same constituting asubstantially U-shaped bow or yoke. The terminals 6and 7 have their npper extremities outwardly flared forming engaging-ends 8 and 9, respectively. The terminal 7 is preferably reduced or made narrower than the terminal 6, for a purpose hereinafter apparent, and the extremity of"the terminal 6 or its engaging-end is preferably slightly rounded. Near the bend 5 the terminal 6 has cut and struck therefrom an outwardly-standing ear 10, and the same is vertically below the upper bent end 8 of said terminal, the end 8 having the ear, being provided with vertically aligning perforations or guide-openings 12. In the guide-openings 12 there is located and designed to loosely reciprocate a pin or stem 13, which above the upper opening 12 is provided with a head or stop 14, and at its lower end islaterally bent to form astop 15, that is located below theear 10. Between its ends the pin is preferably slightly roughened, as indicated at 16, whereby a cork-float 17, through which the pin passes, may be maintained upon the pin and no slipping thereon can occur. This completes the construction of the preferred form of indicator, or rather, that form adapted to be applied to the filler-screw of the various makes of lamps, lanterns, and cans now in use.

In order to apply the device, the terminals 6 are compressed and entered into the lower end of the filler-screw, after which they are released and spreading engage with the lower portion of the thread therein. It will be seen that the float being supported upon the liquid level within the reservoir, can, or other receptacle,will immediately rise when said liquid rises to the top of the receptacle and will carry with it the indicating pin or stem, thus notifying the person filling the reservoir or receptacle that the same is full or has received its proper quantity.

It is well-known among housekeepers, dealers and others having occasion to fill cans, lamps, and lanterns, of an opaque nature that oftentimes it is difficult, especially in cloudy weather or a dark room, to observe the interior of the same through the filler-opening, and especially so when in the act of filling,

so that as a result it often happens that the liquid overflows causing much inconvenience, soiling the carpet, or floor, and necessitating considerable labor to remove the same. By my invention, however, I have provided an attachment that may be applied to the fillerscrews of cans, lamps and lanterns already in use, and which will automatically indicate to the handler or user the moment the level of the liquid rises to the proper point.

Various ways may be devised for accomplishing this purpose, and although I have herein shown the device that is especially adapted for application to the filler-screws of lamps, lanterns, and cans already manufactured, yet further means may be devised for accomplishing the same purpose, and especiallyadapted for being manufactured in connection with the filler-screws. Before describing such, however, reference is made to Fig. 4 of the drawings, wherein I have illustrated a modified form of removable indicator. In this figure spring-metal is employed as before, and the same is doubled upon itself at 18 midway its ends or nearly so forming a lower ear 19. The broad terminal 20 of the yoke extends vertically, while the reduced terminal 21 is inclined. The upper extremity of the broad terminal is outwardly bent to form an car 22, and the same together with the ear 18, is provided with a guide-perforation 23, the same being arranged vertically opposite each other, and the two receiving a pin or stem 24.. The upper end of the pin is headed to form a stop 25 and the lower end of the pin is laterally bent to form a stem 26. Upon the pin between the ears the float 27 is located, and when the device is in position in the screw, which is accomplished in the manner heretofore described, the broad terminal of the spring-yoke serves in a manner to shield the fioatand prevent the incoming liquid from accidentally depressing the float or interfering with its free movement.

In Fig.3 I have illustrated the bracket or yoke for supporting the indicator as formed integral with the lower edge of the screw. In this instance, 28 designates the screw, and with the lower edge of the same there is integrally formed a metal strip, which is outwardly bent at 29 from the screw, downwardly bent, and then again outwardly bent to form a lower car 30. The cars 29 and 30 are perforated as before, and the same receive the stem 31 of the float-indicator.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination with the filling-screw and the yoke depending therefrom, and provided with laterally projecting ears having vertically opposite perforations, of a stem loosely mounted for reciprocation in said perforations, and a float carried by the stem, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a filler-screw, of a U-shaped spring guide yoke removably engaging therewith and depending therefrom, and a float-carrying stem mounted in the yoke, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a filler-screw, of a U-shaped spring guide-yoke having guideeyes, the terminals of the yoke being adapted to be sprung into the threads of the screw, and a float-carrying stem mounted'in the guide-eyes, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with a filler-screw, of a U-shaped guide-yoke having one of its terminals wider than the other terminal thereby forming a shield and both terminals having outwardly bent ends for engaging with the threads of the screw, perforated bearing ears extending from the wider terminal, a stem mounted for reciprocation in said perforations, and a float carried by the stem, substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a filler-screw, of a U shaped spring-metal yoke, having its terminals outwardly bent and adapted to be sprung into the threads of the screw one of its terminals having an ear punched from its lower end, perforations formed in said ear, and in the end of the terminal above the same, a stem mounted for reciprocation in the terminals, and a float carried by the stem, substantially as specified.

6. The combination with a filler-screw, of a U-shaped yoke depending therefrom and having one of its terminals provided with verticallyoppositeguide-openings, a stem mounted in the yoke and terminating above and below the openings and provided with stops, and a float through which the stem passes, substantially as specified.

7. The combination with a filler-screw, of a perforated yoke depending therefrom, a stem mounted for reciprocation in the guideyoke and provided between its ends with a roughened-portion, and a cork float through which the stem passes located on the same at said roughened portion, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS W. BARTHOLOMENV.

Witnesses:

WM. H. BOURN, CHAS. P. HARDER. 

